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Our Wales office

23 February 2018

The Ofcom Wales team represents Ofcom in Wales and Wales within Ofcom – managing relationships and communications with the general public and a wide range of industry stakeholders, including politicians, industry and the media.

Director, Wales

Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications, wireless communications and postal services. It operates under legislation including the Communications Act 2003 and the Postal Services Act 2011. Ofcom is accountable to Parliament but is independent of both Government and those it regulates.

Ofcom operates at the cutting edge of the digital communications industries in the UK, with a duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers, encouraging and enforcing competition. It has responsibility for overseeing television and radio broadcasting throughout the United Kingdom including regulating the BBC under its new Charter; it is responsible for the universal service obligation in the postal sector; ensuring the effective use of spectrum; and that a wide range of electronic communications services are available (such as broadband and mobile telephony).

The Ofcom Wales team represents Ofcom in Wales and Wales within Ofcom – managing relationships and communications with the general public and a wide range of stakeholders, including politicians, industry and the media.

Ofcom wishes to reflect the diversity of contemporary UK society and is therefore actively seeking to recruit colleagues from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds as well as those who have a disability.

Ofcom welcomes applications in the Welsh language and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

The role

The Director, Wales leads a team in Ofcom’s Wales office in Cardiff. The team deals with all aspects of Ofcom’s remit and provides input and advice on issues as they apply to Wales to policy and project teams across Ofcom. Through extensive consultation exercises, a variety of events and well-established working relations with stakeholders, the team makes sure it has its finger on the pulse and is acutely aware of the needs of industry, consumers and citizens in Wales.

Reporting to the Director, Government and Parliament, the role of the Director, Wales is to work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure Ofcom is fully effective in delivering its objectives in Wales, to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness in dealing with external stakeholders in Wales and to maintain Ofcom's reputation.

Ofcom is looking for a senior and experienced public policy professional to lead the team. You will help lead and shape the work of the team, managing key relationships with the Welsh Government and Assembly, regulated industries and other stakeholders across Wales. You will work with colleagues across the organisation to help ensure that Ofcom is able to deliver and present its public policy and regulatory work effectively.

You will have strong experience of working in or very closely with Government, of regulatory issues or the sectors Ofcom regulates; be confident in holding a brief and in understanding, shaping and communicating policy, including at public events; and be accomplished at building strong relationships quickly.

Key responsibilities

The role’s responsibilities will include:

overseeing and co-ordinating relationships for all stakeholders and stakeholder groups within Wales, ensuring that Ofcom’s work and approach are fully understood and that Ofcom is able to understand stakeholder perspectives, and developing and overseeing Ofcom’s outreach work;

ensuring Ofcom understands attitudes and approaches within the Welsh and UK Governments and Welsh Assembly/UK Parliament and local government in Wales to enable the organisation to deliver its statutory remit and conduct its regulatory business to best effect;

supporting the work of Ofcom’s statutory Advisory Committee for Wales, organising 4-5 meetings a year and assisting its Chair and membership in understanding and advising on the work of Ofcom;

working with the Communications Directorate, to manage Ofcom’s press and media activity in Wales, and with the Government and Parliament team and other Nations teams to ensure a joined up approach to engagement across the UK;

working on specific cross-cutting issues as necessary, working closely with expert colleagues across Ofcom, helping develop thinking as required and appropriate;

supporting Ofcom’s relationship with the Welsh Assembly, including through liaison with and response to its Committees;

managing the Ofcom Wales team of 4 colleagues and co-ordinating colleagues more widely across the organisation, where relevant, including in project work;

organising events and initiatives as appropriate; and

role-modelling Ofcom’s values.

Knowledge and experience

a strong understanding of the work and processes of Welsh and UK Governments, the Welsh Assembly and UK Parliament, and the public context in which regulators operate;

an understanding of the sectors Ofcom regulates, and/or proven experience of working in areas of commercial or political sensitivity;

an experienced leader and manager with a track record of building capability, and leading and working in teams across an organisation;

first-hand experience of a regulatory or public policy environment is highly desirable, but not essential;

candidates from the public sector will need to demonstrate a depth of knowledge and understanding of the commercial sector. Equally, anyone who has only worked in the private sector will need to demonstrate an understanding of public policy issues and processes; and

the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

Skills, abilities and personal qualities

keen practical intelligence, with the ability to master a varied and complex policy brief, to translate and communicate complex concepts crisply, and to help contribute to policy debates;

excellent interpersonal skills, able to build and maintain effective working relationships, and have a proven ability to represent and persuade at senior levels within and outside an organisation, including at public events;

comfortable working with committees and governance structures;

excellent written and oral communication skills; and

high levels of integrity.

How to apply

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Ofcom on this appointment.

The team deals with all aspects of Ofcom’s remit and provides input and advice on issues as they apply to Wales to policy and project teams across Ofcom. Wales has representation on Ofcom's Content Board and has its own Advisory Committee.

Through extensive consultation exercises, a variety of events and well-established working relations with stakeholders, the team makes sure it has its finger on the pulse and is acutely aware of the needs of industry, consumers and citizens in Wales.

Rhodri joined Ofcom in January 2004 and is responsible for all aspects of Ofcom's work in Wales.

Rhodri began his career as a journalist in 1980 and joined HTV Wales's current affairs department in July 1982. In 1989 he was one of the co-founders of Wales's largest independent production company, Agenda Television, now known as Tinopolis.

In 1999 he was appointed Chair of the Welsh Language Board, the body responsible for promoting the use of the Welsh language.

He has also served as a member of the Board of Visitors at HM Prison, Cardiff, the Welsh Assembly Government Ministerial Advisory Group on Public Service Delivery and Cymer Comprehensive School's Board of Governors in the Rhondda.

Elinor looks after Ofcom’s stakeholders in Wales and coordinates a creative programme of events in order to engage with those interested in Ofcom’s work.

She manages all communications with the press and media as well as with Welsh politicians and civil servants, ensuring that they are well informed about Ofcom’s work.

Elinor also oversees Ofcom's Welsh language activities, including compliance with the Welsh Language Standards legislation and all Welsh print and online publications.

Before joining Ofcom in 2007 Elinor worked for the Welsh Language Board, following three years as a Community Marketing Manager for BBC Wales. Whilst working as Marketing Manager for Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Dalier Sylw theatre company, Elinor traveled extensively throughout Wales. As a result she has a deep understanding of Welsh issues.

When not at work, Elinor is kept as busy at home, looking after her two children. In any spare time that she has left, she enjoys gardening, running, mountain biking and is a dab hand at making welsh cakes.

Joanna joined Ofcom in July 2017 in the new role of Welsh language Senior Advisor. She manages Ofcom's Welsh language activities including translation requirements, print and online production and ensures the organisation is compliant with Welsh language Standards legislation.

Joanna began her career as a producer for ITV1 Wales before moving on to work as a Marketing Manager and Producer at S4C.

She then worked for the Arts Council of Wales as its Senior Press and Media Officer and as a Senior Interactive Producer at BBC Cymru Wales. Before joining Ofcom she worked at Cardiff University, managing the institution's Welsh language web content.

In her spare time Joanna has published seven novels in both Welsh and English languages. She enjoys reading, walking and binge watching TV dramas.

Lloyd joined Ofcom Wales in January 2018 as its Regulatory Affairs Advisor. Lloyd works closely with the Ofcom team in Wales in all relevant areas of regulatory activity with emphasis on policy research and development, political and media monitoring, managing correspondence and supporting the Advisory Commitee for Wales.

Before joining Ofcom, Lloyd has worked in a variety of roles; most recently as a Campaign Officer for Bridgend Labour Party at the Pencoed Constituency Office. He's also worked as a Research and Policy Officer for the Pontypridd Labour Constituency Office and for various Assembly Members at the National Assembly Wales.

With a keen interest in politics, Lloyd is currently studying for a PhD in Political Theory at Cardiff University. In his spare time he plays six a side football with the Western Bush Wanderers in Pontypridd.

Pete is our Spectrum Engineering/Enforcement Officer. His role entails investigating and resolving interference affecting radio systems and instigating enforcement where necessary. He joined Ofcom at its inception in 2003 following several years in the Radio Communications Agency.

Before joining Ofcom, Pete spent 10 Years in the RAF working on Air Communications and Air Radar systems of fast jets including the Tornado, Phantom and Harrier.

He also worked for 10 years with the South Wales Police Radio Communications department where he was responsible for all force V/UHF communications systems and control room equipment.

Pete spent a brief period in the commercial radio communications industry but returned to Ofcom in 2017.

He is an avid Biker and regularly spends time exploring the European continent on his Yamaha R1.

Liz has been with Ofcom since its inception, transferring from the ITC after working for the Head of ITC Wales & West for eight years. Her current role includes overseeing all aspects of administration, facilities, finance and office management relating to the Cardiff office and acting as administrator to the Ofcom Wales team.

Before joining the ITC, Liz worked in London for 10 years in various PR and Communications roles but at the age of 29 decided that city life had lost its appeal and decided to spend six months travelling before settling in Wales.

She has a grown-up daughter who has recently graduated in Events Management at Manchester University. In her spare time Liz enjoys travelling, long walks in the country with the youngest member of the family – Sonny the Jack Russell - and doing DIY whilst her husband cooks!

Ofcom’s commitment to the Welsh Language

Ofcom takes the fulfilment of its obligations in relation to the Welsh language extremely seriously. We are proud of our commitment and the way in which we integrate the Welsh language into our work on a daily basis – enabling consumers to communicate with Ofcom in the language of their choice, be it in English or Welsh.

Ofcom’s final compliance notice from the Welsh Language Commission carries Ofcom’s full authority, support and approval.

Our approach

Ofcom treats the Welsh and English languages on the basis of equality. When providing a service in the Welsh language, we always ensure that the Welsh language is treated no less favourably than the English language.

Ofcom believes that its approach to providing services in the Welsh language makes a positive contribution to the ability of citizens and consumers to engage with communications issues through the Welsh language.

Complaints

Ofcom strives to provide good quality services to everyone at all times, but we accept that things may go wrong from time to time. If they do, we understand that you may wish to make a complaint.

Ofcom is keen to listen to your views so that we can learn from any mistakes and put them right whenever we can.

Any complaints relating to Ofcom’s work in the Welsh language or compliance with the Welsh Language Standards should be made to the Senior Welsh Language Advisor in the first instance. She will often be in the best position to understand your situation and give you an explanation as to what has happened.

If this does not resolve your concerns, please contact the office of the Secretary to the Corporation, Steve Gettings at corporationsecretary@ofcom.org.uk or telephone 020 7981 3000. Steve will review your case and respond to you as quickly as possible.